Panaji: Bus conductors dressed in ink blue, the Kadamba transport corporation’s (KTC) signature uniform shouted out “Calangute, Panaji,” to attract passengers while simultaneously trying to evade the fury of the heavy rain. This was not a scene at one of KTC’s bus stands, but at the Goa airport on Saturday.
Passengers flying in and out of the state were stranded and distressed at the airport as day two of the statewide taxi strike paralysed taxi transport in the state.
While yellow and black taxi operators did not participate in the strike, they kept their vehicles off the road to protest against GoaMiles. With only self-driven, rent-a-car services and GoaMiles at their disposal, tourists were the most affected as their weekend in Goa started to look unwelcoming upon arrival.
The otherwise sophisticated airport premises resembled a railway station, buzzing with travellers, once flights started landing post 1pm.
“We were supposed to leave our hotel at midday to arrive at the airport, but had to check out earlier than scheduled take a public bus to ensure that we don’t miss the flight,” said Veronica Geraldine, a visitor from Italy.
“This is our first time in Goa. Being foreigners, it’s very hard for us to understand what’s happening and what to do, so it’s been very upsetting,” her friend Alice Golda, said.
A family that had come down for a weekend getaway were disappointed at having to spend most of their Saturday figuring out how to get out of the airport.
Arpit Sanghvi and three generations of his family arrived from Mumbai and were largely dependent on taxi services for sightseeing. Deepa Sheena’s plans to spend a quiet weekend away from Amritsar, in South Goa with her daughters were also ruined.
For Rohin Hans from Bengaluru, it was supposed to be a memorable trip since his group of five were to have a reunion in Goa.
“We have been struggling for an hour, but we haven’t been able to find a cab. Based on these experiences, tourists will feel discouraged to return to the state. The tourism sector will be hit if the government doesn’t do something,” he said.
Professionals and corporates were hit hardest as their itineraries were thrown off-schedule.
04/08/19 Nida Sayed/Times of India
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Passengers flying in and out of the state were stranded and distressed at the airport as day two of the statewide taxi strike paralysed taxi transport in the state.
While yellow and black taxi operators did not participate in the strike, they kept their vehicles off the road to protest against GoaMiles. With only self-driven, rent-a-car services and GoaMiles at their disposal, tourists were the most affected as their weekend in Goa started to look unwelcoming upon arrival.
The otherwise sophisticated airport premises resembled a railway station, buzzing with travellers, once flights started landing post 1pm.
“We were supposed to leave our hotel at midday to arrive at the airport, but had to check out earlier than scheduled take a public bus to ensure that we don’t miss the flight,” said Veronica Geraldine, a visitor from Italy.
“This is our first time in Goa. Being foreigners, it’s very hard for us to understand what’s happening and what to do, so it’s been very upsetting,” her friend Alice Golda, said.
A family that had come down for a weekend getaway were disappointed at having to spend most of their Saturday figuring out how to get out of the airport.
Arpit Sanghvi and three generations of his family arrived from Mumbai and were largely dependent on taxi services for sightseeing. Deepa Sheena’s plans to spend a quiet weekend away from Amritsar, in South Goa with her daughters were also ruined.
For Rohin Hans from Bengaluru, it was supposed to be a memorable trip since his group of five were to have a reunion in Goa.
“We have been struggling for an hour, but we haven’t been able to find a cab. Based on these experiences, tourists will feel discouraged to return to the state. The tourism sector will be hit if the government doesn’t do something,” he said.
Professionals and corporates were hit hardest as their itineraries were thrown off-schedule.
04/08/19 Nida Sayed/Times of India
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